The Portland daily press., 1887-04-20
HOW HuLDA MANAGED.
BIZ HELEN FOREST GRAVES.
Saturday Night.


He stood near the door, keeping sharp
holding his sleepy old horse-for had he not
heard, many time and oft, of the wicked
ways Of juvenile New York;:
In replysto his respectful question, the
young woman nodded her head and CURLY
answered:
Sup STAIRS
tits pretty big house." said Mr. Webb,
glaneing about him. 1.-THE Murrays wasn't
rich when they lived down our way; but
Rachel never had good judgment, l should
say, now, the rent of house like this"
ut amt house," said the young woman,
speaking with lead pencil between her
teeth.
''Ain't house, eh?" Martin Webb's hon.
est, onion-colored eyes gradually expanded,
until you would have thought the lids could
scarcely contain them. ''Not-a houseS"
'No; it's fat. Fourth story, back room.
Name of Murray. Staircase just out in the
hall there"
And so for the first time in his life, Mr..
Webb found himself in the precincts of
'.fet."
He lost his way half dozen of times, this
gaunt, good-humored giant, with ham in
his arms, two or three strings of country
sausage over his shoulder, and basket of
red apples clasped tightly against his breast.
That was matter of course.
He walked into the kitchen of one fat,
brought up in the parlor Of another, and
presented himself, smiling, at the late break
fast table of third, where luckless prin-
ter, who worked all night on the early edi-
ton Of morning paper, was sleeplly CHIP
ping the shell of an egg.
Call them eggs?" said Martin, contemp-
tuously. "If cur VOLTS Corners hens can't
beat that ere sort o. thing-But I'm sure
ask pardon; guess I've got into the wrong
fiat. P'r'aps you can tell me where lady
named Murray lives?"
And by dint of many such questioningS
and inquiries Mr.. Webb at last got himself,
his red apples, ham and sausages into
scantily furnished room looking out on a
bare brick wall-a room where everything
had a starved look, even down to the cat,
which sat intently watching mouse-hole in
the wainscoting
Mrs. Murray, tall pInched, elderly
woman, was engaged, through double pair
of spectacles in mending fine laces, but the
slow motion of her needle, and the uncertain
expression of her face, denoted no very bril-
liant success.
And seated on the window ledge opposite
her, a riding habit of dark green cloth,
beaver hat, with dark green veil twisted
dTOuHU IL, anu Il Jduul1 nbJlc lNUIl ldnQlCQ
whip, was pretty girl of is or 90.
Both started at the entrance of Mr. Webb,
both smiled glad recognition.
"Woy" cried Mrs. Murray, tits cousin
Martini Hilda, give your cousin chair
/ declare, Martin, am surprised to see you
here!
mo more'n l to get here, guess" re-
turned the farmer, with a peculiar chuckling
noise down in his throat. ''These ere city
folks they do take the starch Outen a fellow.
inf nnph lika madnQr flats down at
VOLTS Corner, Ell? Here, cousin Rachel,
I've brung We one of ELIAS best Sugar-cnred
hams an some sassages, and bushel Of the
apples that growed on the tree beyond the
well-the real, red-cheeked Josey Moore's,
you know"
It's very kind Of you, l am sure" said Mrs
Murray. sHilda, can you not offer our
cousin some refreshments after his jour
ney?"
Hilda colored painfully. How could she
explain to her mother that the cupboard was
utterly empty, even of crust Of bread2
IN bring up something directly" she
murmured.
And then she vanished.
From one good neighbor-the very prin-
ter's wife, indeed-she borrowed a potful OF
freshly-made coffee; from another, a few
slices of coldIboiled beef; from third pan
of new-baked biscuits, with a little butter
and comb of honey, and then she flew back
to spread the frugal meal.
Are they all well, cousin Webb?' she
asked, timidly, as holding up her riding hab-
it with one hand. she arranged the table,
and ministered to the appetite of her guest
with the other.
Mr.. Webb nodded his head, keenly sur
veying her the while.
IAN WE'LL" he responded. between the
love. And Reed-no Reed didn't send inc
love- But he wanted to be specially remem-
bered, Reed did He's had dreadful good
luck with the sweet potato patches and to-
bacco crops this year"
"Has hep" and Hilda blushed rosily.
She might have added something more
but Mrs. Murray officiously interfered.
'You mustn't be late for your appointment
with Mr.. Dulancy, daughter" said she, with
a glance at the cleck.
And she added, in explanatory fashion;
"Hilda rides out every day. Two hours
with, ahemi-a gentleman friendp'
Rides out, does she?" SAID Mr. Webb
81 guess likely it costs considerable to KEEP
horses in New York. I'm glad you and
Hilda's got so much money to spare"
''Pm told" said Mrs. Murray, complacent
ly, ''that Hilda's horse is one of the hand
soonest in the park. And of course a young
girl like her ought to get plenty of exercise
Once more Martin Webbs keen glanc,
circled around the room and settled on Hill
da's deeply suffused face.
She went out, with word of buried
apology.
'Yes, nodded Mrs. Murray, with the fiut
tered, flattered expression of m0therly ole
hen who has just found an extra fine kerne
of corr for her brood. ''My Hilda has got
into some remarkably good society. And
entertain hopes that she may marry well be
fore great WHILE"
Mr.. Webb took his leave--rather abruptly
as Mrs. Murray thought-and the old lady
after carefully putting away the generous
gifts from the old farm, sat down to memo
lace and to dream again,
Reed Webb listened silently to his father
account of their relatives.
''Going out riding every day with a gram
New York gentleman" said he. "Dresse'
like princess Father, that does not SCUM
like our little Hilda."
Cant help how it sounds" said Martin
''It's So That's all | know"
'Then," said Reed, sadly, ''it's no use m.
building that wing on the south side of tn
old house? 1t won't be needed now"
mot if you expect Hilda Murray to live il
"HushP' said Mrs. Webb, who was wash
ing up the supper dishes with true house
wifely deftness and speed, making each tea
spoon shine like silver, each plate gliste
like ivory, in the friction of her homespu
linen towel. There's some one at the dool
Go quick, husband"
''Why," cried Martin, standing on tn
threshold, 'it's Hilda-its Hilda Murray
'But i can't stay minute" said Hlldf
breathlessly. Eve got to return by tn
seven-thirty train!
"Hilda," said Reed, grayely, you mus
come in It is not right nor seemly that 20
should be out alone at this time of might"
Il wanted Cousin Webb to know" faltere
Hilda. 81 couldn't bear that he should thin
so i'll of me as to fancy that | was fndulgln
in expensive pleasures, while-while m
mother was so poor. Her sight is falling
you know she is almost blind. She fancie
that she is earning something by mendin
lace, but she only spoils it. We Shout
starve if-if it wasn't for the money / ear
bv giving riding lessons in Mr.. Dulany
equestrian school. Mother doesn't know
She would break her heart il any one to-
her that / went daily to the ring and traine
little girls and young ladies in horsewomal
ship. She never can forget, you know, tn;
my Door father was a college graduate, an
once went to the legislature. So we let h
believe-Mr. Dulany and THAT am takir
lessons, instead of giving them. She saw
once in the park with the class of young
dies, and she was so proud, poor little mot
err And Mr.. Dulany says | am the be
teacher he ever had and-oh'' with pit
GUS clasping of the hands-"iS it very wrong
Is it? | almost fancied so, when ! sa
Cousin Webb looking at me this morning
acting lie!'
81 dunno about that" said Mr. Web
fumbling around for his pocket handke
chief "but / know you're the incest an
best little gal | ever saw !,